The host of 2014 World Champs

[rikhardur]

ESP – Pau Gasol would relish playing 2014 FIBA World Championship in Spain





MADRID (2014 FIBA World Championship) – Pau Gasol was the most valuable player of the 2006 FIBA World Championship when Spain captured the gold medal in Japan.



Now the international hoops icon says he wants to play in 2014 if his country is named as host of the prestigious event.



China and Italy are also candidates to stage that World Championship, with basketball’s world governing body FIBA to announce where the event will be held on the weekend of May 23-24 in Geneva.



“It’s too soon to talk about something that is a little bit far away but if I feel right and healthy, I will play at the (2014) World Championship,” Gasol said in a statement issued by the Spanish Basketball Federation.



“Let’s see how I feel, but I hope to reach 2014 in good form.”



Gasol, who will be 34 in 2014, has already played in front of his country’s fans in a major international basketball even when EuroBasket 2007 was staged in Spain.



He almost led his national team to a gold medal, but his jump shot at the death in the final against Russia bounced off the backboard and then rolled around the rim before staying out.



Gasol still has fond memories of that tournament.



“Playing a great championship at home is an experience that I would be happy to repeat,” he said.



“The experience of the EuroBasket 2007 was beautiful.”



Gasol, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, was recently voted FIBA Europe’s Player of the Year for 2008.

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